UPDATE: Heat center Hassan Whiteside to miss at least 1 to 2 weeks with different bone bruise on same knee

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside will miss one to two weeks after suffering a different bone bruise on his left knee.

Whiteside was injured in the Heat’s victory over Boston one week ago. After undergoing treatment and with at least one day between games, he felt good enough to play in the next three games at Minnesota, Chicago and Cleveland. But after sitting out Wednesday’s game at New York an MRI taken Thursday revealing the newest injury.

The most recent bone bruise is in the same knee but a different spot from the bruise that Whiteside suffered on opening night when he banged knees with Magic center Nikola Vucevic. He sat out the next five games after that initial injury. The Heat are not sure how the most recent injury occurred. Whiteside does not remember bumping knees with anyone during the Boston game.

Whiteside, who is averaging 15.2 points and 12.6 rebounds in 14 games, will begin rehab immediately, which will include a strength and conditioning program over the next one-to-two weeks. While one week is the minimum time he is expected to miss, it could be two or more.

The Heat (10-11) return home to face the Hornets (8-12) on Friday after going 2-2 on their most recent road trip. Rookie Bam Adebayo started for Whiteside during the Heat’s 115-86 loss at the Knicks on Wednesday and is listed as the probable starter against the Hornets.

After missing five games early in the season, Whiteside played 14 consecutive games before sitting out Wednesday. He did not participate in Saturday’s practice in Chicago but played the next two games, against the Bulls and Cavaliers. He scored 22 points and had 23 rebounds in the two games combined, playing just 40 minutes.

“It has really been bothering me throughout the season,” Whiteside said before the Knicks game. “We’re going to figure it out when we get back to Miami and figure out what’s wrong.”

Whiteside said the knee was bothering him whether he was running or jumping.

Coach Erik Spoelstra said on Wednesday the Heat have been managing the initial injury by treating the days between games as “recovery days.”

“He really hasn’t been able to do two days of work in a row for a while.” Spoelstra said.

Charlotte, which is 1-9 on the road, played without All-Star guard Kemba Walker during its loss at Toronto on Wednesday because of a bruised left shoulder. Walker is listed as questionable for the Heat game.

Adebayo has started four games this season, including Wednesday in New York. He scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds in 34 minutes against the Knicks. Adebayo scored 19 points in 18 minutes at Cleveland the previous night off the bench. He has made 11-of-12 shots in the last two games.

The 6-foot-10 Adebayo will face Hornets 6-11 center Dwight Howard who is averaging 15.6 points and 12.7 rebound in his first season in Charlotte.